Microsoft Word MU 2009-2010.doc - Methodist University

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIONDr. Steven P. Brey, ChairPHILOSOPHYPhilosophy meets the needs of students (a) who major in other fields but want a theoretical backgroundfor such professions as law, education, business, or the ministry or (b) who want to sample thephilosophical discipline in their elective courses.Core/General Education requirements in Philosophy: B.A., B.M., or A.A.: PHI 211, 212, or 220; B.S.:6 s.h. of any course listed in philosophy (or see B.S. core requirements, page 49, for alternatives).Requirements for the minor: 15 hours—including PHI 211 and 212PHILOSOPHY COURSESPHI 211 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY3 s.h.Socrates claimed that the "unexamined life is not worth living." This course examines a life worth living bycritically struggling with some of life's most intractable philosophical problems: what is the world like(metaphysics), how do we know what we know (epistemology), and what are the implications of all this forhow we should act in the world (ethics). This course is offered every fall and spring semester.PHI 212 SYMBOLIC LOGIC3 s.h.This course is an introduction to basic deductive logic. Topics covered include symbolization, truth tables,and proofs in both propositional and predicate logic. Some modal logic may also be covered. This class isoffered every spring semester.PHI 220 MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND CONTEMPORARYETHICAL PROBLEMS3 s.h.Ethical theory (moral philosophy) with emphasis on the tools of ethical decision-making and application tocontemporary issues (e.g., abortion, euthanasia, war, capital punishment, medical ethics). Recommendedfor all students preparing for the helping professions. This course is offered in the spring semester, evennumberedyears.PHI 301 HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY3 s.h.Survey of the history of Western philosophy from the pre-Socratics to the contemporary period. Thiscourse is offered in the fall semester, odd-numbered years.PHI 320 BUSINESS ETHICS3 s.h.After a brief consideration of ethical theory, this course will examine selected ethical issues which arisefrom business, such as corporate responsibility, whistleblowing, environmental issues, and privacy.Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the virtues in business practice. This course is offered inthe spring semester, odd-numbered years. Cross listed as BUS 320PHI 330 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION3 s.h.Philosophical examination of religion; topics include arguments for the existence of God, the nature andreliability of religious experience, the problem of evil, the nature and attributes of God, the meaning ofreligious language, and life after death. This course is offered in the fall semester, even-numbered years.PHI 340 MEDICAL ETHICS3 s.h.After a brief consideration of ethical theory, this course will examine selected ethical issues raised byclinical practice, medical theories, and biomedical research and technologies. This course does not meet themedical ethics requirement for the Methodist University Physician Assistant Program. This course isoffered every fall semester.102